Liberalism advocates for individual freedom and rights. It first emerged during the Enlightenment and was used to justify revolutions in America and France. Liberal governments were then established across Europe, North America, and Latin America in the 19th century. Key liberal thinkers included John Locke, who advocated for life, liberty, and property; Mary Wollstonecraft, who argued for women's freedom; and Voltaire, who supported freedom of expression. However, not all thinkers supported liberalism, like Thomas Hobbes who believed people were inherently evil.